29 Ways to Create Your Own Quiet Night in December

Tis the most wonderful time of the year.... or for so many of us it is the busiest time of the year.

How can those of us who "make Christmas happen" for our families and friends find time of refreshing? Perhaps, like me, you too desire to return to experience the wonder of the season like in childhood.
Is that even possible?

I certainly don't have navigating the holiday season figured out. Each year comes with its own joys, heartaches, and challenges to navigate. But I have been able to rekindle some of the peace, joy, and even a little bit of wonder.

One of the ways I've done that is to incorporate intentional nights of quiet and little to no tech/distractions/appointments throughout the month of December.

I put them on the calendar and treat them as if they were a meeting with my boss or a get-together with friends. Unless an emergency comes up, I'm going to have that Quiet Night.

Originally, I shared the idea of having your own "Quiet Night in December" in the book, Don't Let Christmas Kill You: A Woman's Guide to Avoiding Financial Disaster, Relational Crisis and Holiday Hysteria.

My Quiet Nights in December have turned out to be one of my favorite traditions in the month. 'Quiet' is a relevant term, meant more in terms of a quiet spirit (banish all traces of guilt and anxiety) and ushering in a more merry, intentional attitude.

Banish every ounce of guilt. This night is just as important as getting the shopping done or attending the office party (maybe a lot more important than that office party!)

Some of us are energized by being with people. Some of us recharge our batteries by being alone.

Whatever you choose to do, have fun doing it.

With this list, you might want to schedule more than one Quiet Nights in December. 😊

There are no rules except to do something that nourishes yourself that you wouldn't normally do on your own. And if that's wrapping all the gifts without a single another soul in the house while you watch Christmas with the Cranks, do it! I'm all for a little productivity to go with relaxation.

More than anything, this list is meant to inspire your own ideas on how to create a magical, memorable Christmas evening.

1. Take a walk in a neighborhood and take in the Christmas lights.
2. Watch your favorite Christmas movie from childhood while working on a favorite project.
3. Write out your favorite holiday recipe on an index card. Add stickers or stamps for a bit of festive flair. Tuck into Christmas cards for family and friends.
4. Turn on your favorite Christmas movie and wrap all the gifts.
5. Spend an hour going through the family albums.
6. Put together the family album you've meant to do for the last few years.
7. Turn on the Christmas lights on the tree, cozy up in your favorite chair and read your favorite book.
8. Catch up with a friend at your favorite coffee shop.
9. Have a quiet date night with your honey. Hire a babysitter or swap babysitting with another family.
10. Write out your Christmas cards.
11. Address all your Christmas cards while talking on the phone with a friend.
12. Package all the gifts, mail, etc. that needs to be mailed before the cut off dates.
13. Fill the stockings (or go shopping for stocking stuffers).
14. Go to a local production of a play or musical.

15. Paint your own toes and fingernails a favorite Christmas color. Relax in front of a fireplace and turn on music your favorite movie.
16. Get together with a girlfriend to watch old movies together.
17. Create photo books with the pictures from your Instagram feed or camera. Upload to Walmart and use their fun and easy print option (or even create a book).
18. Write letters to three people who meant the most to you in the past year.
19. Make popcorn, turn off the phone and spend two hours doing the project you've been eying on
Pinterest for the last three years.
20. Make a Christmas wreath. Give it away to a neighbor.
21. Go to a local Christmas entertainment event- a choir at a church, a holiday jazz band or a
Christmas play.
22. Walk around looking at the Christmas lights with your honey and/or kids and/or grandkids.
23. Grab the coloring book you received as a gift and color a few pages. Coloring can decrease stress
and anxiety.
24. Write short Christmas notes to put under children's pillows, colleague's desks, etc. Hand written
notes of appreciation are a treasure and encouragement.
25. Take an hour to peruse through all the December editions of the magazines (I may not do a
thing from Martha Stewart or Magnolia Journal, but I love to peruse them).